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A Canadian cat owner was charged with neglecting her pet after the cat, Napoleon, ballooned to more than 24 pounds and was euthanized due to complications from obesity. Officials say Guylene Roy repeatedly ignored veterinary advice.

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Genome sequencing suggests there is little risk that the H5N8 avian influenza found in eight European countries and Asia will infect humans, but experts say there are no guarantees, so biosecurity measures are necessary. In Germany, one of the countries that has seen cases, an additional 8,800 birds were scheduled to be culled after more infections were found.

A survey of nearly 6,500 new mothers in Canada found that those living in large cities were more likely to report postpartum depression. One in 10 women in large cities reported postpartum depression compared with nearly 7% of those in semi-rural areas, 6% in rural areas, and around 5% in semi-urban areas. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews asked Health Canada to consult with interested people and groups before approving paid-donor blood plasma clinics in the province. It "would be irresponsible to allow a shift towards a paid-donor system without first determining how it could impact the supply of blood and blood products," Matthews wrote. Health Canada will take the time to listen to concerns, Canadian Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said.

A survey conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that the shutdown of the Chalk River reactor has led to a 22% decrease in performed diagnostic tests in the country in October 2009 when compared with 2008. This translates to 12,000 fewer tests.

The Canadian government will set aside $6 million to fund research into alternatives to technetium-99m, which is currently in short supply because of the closure of the reactor in Ontario. Technetium-99m is the most commonly used medical isotope for cancer tests and many nuclear medicine procedures. "We will also support the production of these alternatives to reduce the time it takes to move to clinical trials," Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said.